[lug] MS Apps ported to Linux???

[J. Wayde Allen]

On Wed, 7 Feb 2001, John Starkey wrote:

> Just ran across this article which addresses a concern that was posted
> today.
> 
> netscape.zdnet.com:80/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2680345,00.html
> 
> Doug Miller says they haven't ruled out the possibilty of porting to
> Linux.

That is an interesting article.  I'm curious, what do people think about
the following comments from Doug Miller:
   
   ... "While we are threatened by the Linux business model, where
   companies give away free software, we are not at all worried about that
   operating system from a technological standpoint," Miller told eWEEK
   before heading off to the conference. "There are no earth-shattering
   technological innovations in Linux -- actually, there's a lot less than
   can be found in the Windows and Unix platforms." ... 

   ... I think the shine is dulling around Linux as people scramble to
   find a business model based on free software that actually works," he
   said. "Ultimately, there's no such thing as a free lunch -- someone has
   to pay for continued innovation and support." ...
   
   ... While there has been much talk about Linux as an operating system,
   there hasn't been nearly enough talk about how it is solving customer
   problems through a full suite of business applications, Miller
   contended, adding it has a "long way to go" to solve the range of
   business problems that companies like Microsoft solve today. ...

   ... "Linux is many, many years away from being an enterprise-ready
   operating system that can compete with, and challenge, the Windows
   platform," he said. "There is also no vision or driving force around
   it. We are already in very good shape on the enterprise today and are
   leading the charge on the Web services front and in new ways of looking
   at delivering value. ... 

I'm looking for honest, thoughtful discussion here as opposed to Microsoft
bashing.  Can these criticisms effectively be addressed?  What hard
examples/evidence can we provide?

It seems to me that a little serious introspection can't hurt the Linux
community.  I also think we need to expand our list of arguments from the
old standby of Linux generally being a more stable platform.

- Wayde
  (wallen at lug.boulder.co.us)